How to Road Trip Taiwan via Scooter, Motorbike, or Car

This post may contain affiliate links. This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for helping them promote their product or service. I don’t endorse any services I don’t personally use or recommend.

This blog post aims to serve as your comprehensive guide to traveling in Taiwan by road…from someone who epically failed at doing so.

The very first mistake I made after deciding to road trip Taiwan happened before I even left my house. I assumed that, having traveled by road in countless other (much more challenging) countries, my Taiwan jaunt would require little, if any, planning. At the same time, I totally overplanned my guesthouse and hotel stays, as I needlessly worried that all affordable options would fill up fast, like they sometimes do in Japan. But we shall go through each mistake one by one so that you don’t make the same.

Your Complete Guide to Road-Tripping Taiwan

Full disclosure, we used a poorly functioning, far too small 150cc motorcycle (or so we were told) for about 3 days in the country until the slowly leaking oil and the fact that I was sitting precariously on the metal tailgate designed for baggage wore us down, and we returned to Taipei. From there, we took trains and buses around the country and rented scooters strategically from small towns to see the more remote attractions.

If you’re planning on traveling in Taiwan via public transit, you should just leave now and go to Taiwan Obsessed. There is simply no greater authority on Taiwan travel than this guy. He’s the reason I will not be writing any other blog posts about our time in Taiwan. It’s simply not needed because he’s done it and likely done it with far more attention to detail than I would have.

Let’s get into the logistics!

Do You Need a Taiwanese Driver’s License or an International Driver’s Permit?

While you do not need a Taiwanese-specific driving license, you DO need both a valid driver’s license for the vehicle you are trying to operate (this means a motorcycle license for Americans looking to rent even a scooter) and a valid IDP. Taiwan is a nation that believes in rules. The roads are orderly and well-behaved. Helmets are always worn. Licensing is required.

This was the first problem for us, as only my husband has an actual motorcycle license. I just learned how to ride in Pakistan and have winged it (with no issues) ever since. But this meant riding pillion (or 2-up) for the duration of the trip. Much less fun and very much not recommended.

Why You Should Not Road Trip Taiwan as Two People on One Bike/Scooter

Quite simply, because the affordable rentals cannot sustain two people for a long duration of time. Especially once you add in the added weight of a bag. Most rentals are 150cc. Taiwan 150cc. I’ve powered up a mountainside at 10,000 ft in Pakistan on a 150cc motorcycle…but these bikes in Taiwan, they aren’t it. Even the mildest hill is going to cause serious engine consternation. I don’t know who rated this engine as a 150cc, but consider it a global 70cc. It’s not just about power, though. It’s also about seat size.

I am a relatively small woman, and my husband is tall, but not large, by any means. When I say that we were at the limit of seat-squeezing capability, believe me. I’m talking tiny seats. They are clearly meant for a single human. You won’t see any families of four piling on in this country.

The scooters do have a little more power, but sitting two-up on a scooter for 4-7 hours a day is a nightmare, and this adventure is really only fun if everyone drives themselves.

Now the unaffordable rental game in Taiwan is strong. You can rent a 650cc motorcycle for about $50-75 per day and ride two people, no problem. But considering a 10+ day trip, this gets really expensive.

Which Mode of Transport is Best?

Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons at a glance.

• Motorcycle: I mean…it’s most fun. It’s also a very affordable option that is pretty much the same price as the scooter. Very economical.
• Scooter: Perhaps the most practical of the bunch. It’s easy to use, ubiquitous, and has the most seat room overall.
• Car: Weather in Taiwan is pretty unpredictable. The biggest benefit to car travel is that you don’t have to be in the sun/heat on hot days, face the blistering wind on the coast, or get caught in a downpour when the weather turns.

Now this is just my personal opinion, but I would be so bored road tripping Taiwan in a car. The roads are too nice. It just isn’t really that kind of destination. For me, of course. I know that it is quite a popular way for people to visit, and perhaps if I had a small group of people, I would feel differently. Overall, I think a scooter is the easiest option and the one you’ll find most comfortable on a budget.

Should I Book Accommodation in Advance?

I’m just going to jump in here now and dispel this myth. You do not need to pre-book accommodation for your whole trip to Taiwan. If you’re planning to travel by road, you absolutely should not. Mishaps will happen, and most hotels in Taiwan have a strict no-cancellation, no-refund policy.

You should book your stay each morning before you set out, so that you can have a destination. I’m not saying you should just turn up in Taiwan (in fact, do not do that, as most places are self-check-in only and have no receptionist). Just don’t look yourself into a breakneck pace of a trip that circles the whole island with no opportunity to deviate or change your route. Flexibility is key for road trips.

Where To Rent My Scooter or Motorcycle For a Taiwan Road Trip

While you can browse online car rental sites, there’s no such luck for two-wheeled transportation.

Fortunately, I found the most economical option in Taipei. Bike Farm.

I’ll get into the details more in sections below, but it’s run by an older British national named Jeremy who has lived in Taiwan for the last several decades and rents a whole fleet of vehicles to foreigners.

How Much Does a Car, Scooter, or Motorbike Rental Cost?

Alright, let’s talk prices. By the time I write this, it will be outdated, so I’m going to ballpark the prices as of right now in April 2026.

Car Rental Cost

Many people choose to rent a car via the app Klook. This is the most common and most affordable method of car rental in Taiwan. You can expect to pay around $35-$40 a day for the cheapest car. But you can also check Discover Cars.

Motorcycle/Scooter Rental Cost

These are very comparable if you’re looking at the 150cc models (not the 650cc+ speed bikes). And shockingly cheap. You can rent a bike for about 2200 TWD for four days or 3800 TWD for a month. Jeremy from Bike Farm is your guy. He also has rates between this for 2 and 3 weeks. This means you can rent a bike for a whole month for under $100. Because you’re renting for a month or several weeks, you don’t have to worry about the pick-up date so much; just get the bike ASAP so you can troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Contact Info For Jeremy: Whats App +886 0926 283 300, Email: bikefarmbikes@gmail.com

Jeremy is also a little loose on the “license required” part of the rental. Don’t tell him I said so. But if you know how to ride, this is something you could broach with him. The truth is, you will never ever ever get pulled over in Taiwan. They have speed cameras and intersection cameras everywhere that mail you tickets rather than rely on a police force to assign them. This means the odds of you getting caught for not having the proper license are basically zero. Getting someone to rent you the bike is the real trick.

If you really want a motorcycle, you are going to struggle to find a 150cc one for rent if you don’t reserve it far in advance. Jeremy only has a small handful of them in his fleet.

Per-day rentals run about 500 TWD or $15 each day. Long-term rental is the way to go.

A Look at Driving in Taiwan

I won’t bore you with all the traffic laws here. Jeremy and whoever you rent your bike from will do that. But you should note that Taiwan is super anal when it comes to following the laws, and any Taiwanese people who see you breaking a law just have to send your photo from their dashcam to the police, and they will send you a ticket. Yes, you will have to actually pay it. It’s a country with a “Karen” problem. You will get ratted out for stupid things if you drive like Thailand.

Parking in Taiwan was something I was worried about with all the city travel, but it wasn’t an issue at all because they have a brilliant system. Basically, you park in any legal space, and then a parking attendant comes around (or doesn’t) and puts a sticker on your bike that costs $0.70 when paid at any 7/11. So, no parking tickets just because you couldn’t read the sign. This sticker is valid in that city for 24 hours. If you park and don’t receive one, then it’s free.

Planning Your Taiwan Road Trip Route

This is the most important part of any road trip: deciding where you want to go. And while most people see the country and think they want to opt for a circular whole-country route…I think there are better options after having driven in certain areas.

My Recommended Route

The East Coast and the center of the country, where many of the national parks are, are where you really, really want to road trip. The West Coast cities, Taipei, and the northern part of the country, like Juifen, are not great for road travel. This makes the Alishan area the only odd man out. This is what sucks most people into a circuitous path. And I don’t blame them.

But you should keep in mind that driving near the cities is slow due to numerous long traffic lights. So the West Coast is going to be quite the slog. That being said, you have three options to best explore Taiwan on two wheels.

The Three Options You Have

1. Rent a bike/scooter for the duration of your trip and explore the whole country in a circular path. This is the best option for travelers on a budget and with a little more time flexibility.
2. Skip the long rental and just rent in a few key places like Chishang, Alishan, etc., where having a scooter makes your life easier. This is for those willing to rent several times for 500 TWD a day (more expensive).
3. Do a one-way rental from Taipei to Kaohsiung (or the other way around). This way seems like the most reasonable if you’re short on time. You should road trip the East Coast and then take public transit on the other side.

How Long Does it Actually Take to Circle the Country?

If you are a fast-paced traveler, you could circle the entirety of Taiwan, visiting a few nature-centric destinations in three weeks on a motorcycle or scooter. You’re probably looking at the distances thinking….well why so long? I’ve heard I could do it in 7-10 days. And to that I say– absolutely not. It’s not the roads or the distances that make circumnavigating Taiwan time-consuming; it’s the weather and the sheer number of places you’ll probably want to visit for more than a single afternoon.

Every national park or nature destination requires you to stay two nights when you’re self-driving, so that you actually have ample time to see the nature. Drives between towns range from 2-6 hours. Also, weather. Good luck driving in a Taiwan downpour. You need to have enough time for flexibility in your Taiwan itinerary.

Shipping Your Bike AKA For One-Way Rentals

It only costs about 800 TWD or $25 to ship your scooter from Taipei to Kaohsiung.

This was new information to me when we arrived at the Bike Farm. It can take anywhere from 1-3 days for the bike to reach its destination, depending on how many they have to ship (it just goes when full), but Jeremy from Bike Farm can arrange this for you. This way, you can limit your road trip to just the Eastern coastline rather than having to slog through all the crowded and stoplight-filled cities of the West Coast.

If You Only Have One Week to Road Trip Taiwan

The best option for you is to choose a coast. In my opinion, there’s no contest; you should choose the East Coast. You’ll get to explore the stunning, dramatic seaside, Juifen, and work your way down through Taroko National Park to Lisong Hot Springs in the South before returning your bike in Kaohsiung, where you can catch a train or flight back to Taipei.

If You Only Have Two Weeks to Road Trip Taiwan

You can zip down the eastern coastline, then choose one or two cities on the west coast (I recommend Tainan) and visit the Alishan region on your way to Taipei. This will be a little rushed, but if you’re a fast-paced traveler who doesn’t mind slightly longer scenic rides and is happy not seeing all the cities on the West Coast, this can be a great option.

The main difference between this and a three or four-week trip is that you’ll have to speed up the pace and not add in any other national parks and nature destinations.

Destinations That I Think You Should Prioritize

• The entire East Coast.
• Lisong Hot Springs.
• Tainan.
• Taipei. (Not on bike though)
• Juifen. Surprisingly, lovely.
• Alishan Area.

Destinations I Think You Should Skip Entirely

• Sun Moon Lake. Crazy touristy in the worst way, pushed out the whole indigenous community, and really really overrated.
• Taitung City. Nothing particularly to speak of here. Stay an extra day in Chishang instead.
• Spending too much time in Kaohsiung. I didn’t love the city. Most people do, and there are quite a few things to see here, so you can’t skip it entirely.

Things to Know Before You Embark on a Taiwan Road Trip

Let’s tack on a few things that I think would be useful to know before deciding on a road trip in Taiwan.

• You will need a SIM card. While the country is very well connected, in small towns you can’t rely on Wi-Fi, and most hotels are self-check-in, which requires it.
• You can travel everywhere by train or bus except for Lisong Hot Springs. All other national parks and attractions have a bus option.
• Try not to visit any national parks on weekends. Taiwanese people travel a lot, and the crowds can be crazy.
• The check-in time can be quite late for Taiwan hotels. I’m talking 5 PM in some cities. You should always check beforehand and time your arrival so that you’ll be able to drop off your luggage.
• Again, don’t try to ride two-up on any motorcycle in Taiwan, they are too small, and you WILL NEED a valid license.
• Be prepared for variable weather. This means rain gear. Also, the country is quite hot and has a high UV exposure.
• The East Coast gets insane wind. Not undrivable, but this means it will take you a little longer than you initially imagined.

Taiwan Road Trip Map

Keeping all this information in mind, you’re now ready to road trip Taiwan. With excellent roads, scenic vistas, and lots of national parks to explore, it’s a destination that really lends itself well to road trips! Feel free to leave any of your suggestions on destinations to visit in the comments.

Save This Taiwan Road Trip Post For Later!